Seychelles: immigration

How many foreigners live in Seychelles?

Seychelles had an estimated 123,097 residents at 31 December 2025, of whom 101,576 were Seychellois, according to the National Bureau of Statistics' population and vital statistics bulletin for December 2025. That leaves about 21,500 non-Seychellois residents, around one in six of the population.

The total population grew 0.9% in 2025, while the Seychellois population grew 0.5%, so just over half of the increase of 1,061 people came from non-Seychellois residents. The estimates count usual residents, not tourists. The Immigration and Civil Status Department issues the residence and work permits.

Official sources: NBS: Population and vital statistics, December 2025 (PDF) · Immigration and Civil Status Department: Gainful Occupation Permit

Do you need a visa to visit Seychelles?

Visitors do not need a visa to enter Seychelles, according to the Department of Immigration and Civil Status's visiting Seychelles page. Instead, a visitor's permit is issued on arrival to people travelling for a holiday, business or to see friends or family, if they hold a valid return or onward ticket, have confirmed accommodation and have enough money for the stay, a minimum of US$150 or the equivalent per day.

The passport must be valid for the whole stay until the traveller returns home. All travellers must complete immigration forms online before travelling. Foreigners who want to work, paid or unpaid, need a Gainful Occupation Permit.

Official sources: ICS: Visiting Seychelles · ICS: Gainful Occupation Permit

What share of the Seychelles' population are immigrants?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in the Seychelles was 10.2% in 2024. In 2015 the figure was 11.9%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 2.2%; the Seychelles is 3rd highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 63rd highest.

How many people move to the Seychelles each year?

According to the UN Population Division, net migration in the Seychelles was 1,590 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 2,086; its low point was 2008, at 105. Sub-Saharan Africa median: -5,646; the Seychelles is 11th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 59th highest.

How many refugees come from the Seychelles?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 10. The peak was 61 in 2006 and the low 9 in 2022. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 12,726; the Seychelles is 47th highest of 48. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 178th highest.

How much money do migrants send home to the Seychelles?

0.5% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in the Seychelles for 2025, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.3% of GDP (2008) to 2.4% of GDP (2011). It is 17th highest of 20 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.6% of GDP. Of 127 countries with 2025 data, 94th highest.